Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN Number Check

Enter a Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefix4JG

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

About the Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes-Benz has sold the GLE in the US since the 2016 model year, and there have been two generations. The W166 (GLE) came first (2016–2019), and the V167 took over for 2020–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 73 vehicle recall campaigns and 679 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the V167. Its 2020 and 2021 model years alone account for 212 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the W166 (GLE) at 14–25 mpg combined, while the V167, whose lineup includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, gets 16–24 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2016–2026

GenerationsW166 (GLE) · V167

NHTSA recall campaigns73

Owner complaints679 at NHTSA

Mercedes-Benz GLE photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Mercedes-Benz GLE generations

Two generations since the 2016 model year. The V167 (2020–2026) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (51).

2 / 2

V167

2020–20262nd generation

Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

201620202025

2020–2026· Generation 2 of 2

V167 · 2nd generation

EPA classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA combined mpg16–24

NHTSA recalls51

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2020–2023
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2020–2024
4.0 L 8-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2020–2026
3.0 L 6-cyl (mild hybrid) · 2021–2023
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2024–2026
3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, supercharged, mild hybrid) · 2024–2026
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (2020–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (125)Electrical system (104)Forward collision avoidance (57)11 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 407 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · V1674JGFB4KB?LA······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE350-4M, built in Vance, Alabama

Check a GLE VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which GLE model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 73 campaigns on file for GLE model years 2016–2026, and the 2020 shows up in more of them than any other year (36), ahead of the 2021 (22). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mercedes-Benz GLE owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2020 and 2016 hold 230 of the 679 complaints, or 34%. Tap any bar or generation.

679NHTSA complaints, 2016–2026

46mention a crash

11mention a fire

36injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearV167: 407 complaints · most for the 2020 (123)

Top complaint areas · V167

Mentions in 407 complaints, 2020–2026.

Engine and cooling125

Electrical system104

Forward collision avoidance57

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)42

Speed control / acceleration37

Fuel system34

Crashes 16Fires 5Injuries 19

2020–2026 (V167)

NHTSA data summary

The 2020 is the outlier. On its own it has 123 of the V167’s 407 complaints (30%), more than any other GLE model year, and owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (125 mentions), then electrical system (104).

What GLE owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2016–2019 (3rd generation, W166)

Complaint counts are modest for this generation, so the data is thin. The 2016 draws the most NHTSA complaints, and the most common one is the engine stalling while driving, with some owners also reporting a cracked fuel injector that leaked gasoline and rough shifting. CarComplaints lists a moan when accelerating, an exploding panoramic sunroof and a screeching parking brake for 2016, random downshifts and a moldy A/C smell for 2017, and an exploding sunroof for 2018. A recall covers 2016–2019 models whose fuel pump control unit may be damaged by water and stall the engine. [1] [2] [3] [4]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm the fuel pump control unit recall on 2016 to 2019 models was completed.
Check the engine bay for any fuel smell or wet injectors.
Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for cracks.
On the drive, watch for stalling, rough or random shifts and a moldy smell from the A/C.

Sources (4) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

GLE complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid, plug-in and diesel GLE versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

679complaints, 2016–2026

46mention a crash

11mention a fire

36injuries reported

1complaint reports a death

Most complaints: 2020 (123), 2016 (107), 2021 (89)

2020 · 123 complaints

Crashes 3 · fires 1 · injuries 2

Engine44

Electrical system37

Unknown or other16

Vehicle speed control15

Power train9

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

GLE CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 92 GLE versions for model years 2016–2026 (gas, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 99 g/mi, for the 2025 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

W166 (GLE)2016–2019

14–25 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 43 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 294–632 g/mi

V1672020–2026

16–24 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 60 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 99–554 g/mi

Model year2025

23combined MPG

382CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,550EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

5/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDieselHybridPlug-in hybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

GLE vs BMW X5 vs Audi Q7

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2020–2026. NHTSA lists 51 recall campaigns for the GLE, against 33 for the BMW X5 and 16 for the Audi Q7. Pick a range to compare.

Mercedes-Benz GLEV167

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 51
NHTSA owner complaints: 407
EPA combined mpg: 16–24
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, supercharged, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 125
Electrical system 104
Forward collision avoidance 57

BMW X5

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 33
NHTSA owner complaints: 557
EPA combined mpg: 15–25
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.4 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 143
Brakes 141
Engine and cooling 119

Audi Q7

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 16
NHTSA owner complaints: 158
EPA combined mpg: 18–22
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 66
Engine and cooling 42
Forward collision avoidance 25

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a GLE

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Gray Mercedes-Benz GLE (second generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: BuickRiviera99, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The GLE carries its VIN on a plate at the lower driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, on a B-pillar label, and near the cargo area. Engine bay stamp near the strut tower provides a fifth location. The V167 generation starts with the 2020 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (L for 2020) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN questions

Which Mercedes-Benz GLE model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2020 leads with 123, ahead of the 2016 (107) and 2021 (89). Those first two alone make up 34% of the 679 GLE complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mercedes-Benz GLE had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 73 vehicle campaigns for model years 2016–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, V167 leads with 51. Then come the W166 (GLE) (26), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Mercedes-Benz GLE recalls are high risk?

19V-458 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 18V-272, 19V-572, 19V-587, 21V-288, 21V-961, 22V-231, 23V-177, 24V-207 and 3 more. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which GLE generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the W166 (GLE) is 2016–2019 and the V167 2020–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (L is 2020).

What fuel economy does the Mercedes-Benz GLE get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2020–2026 V167 at 16–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (60 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 14–25 mpg for the 2016–2019 W166 (GLE) (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mercedes-Benz GLE compare with the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 on recalls?

For 2020–2026 models the GLE has 51 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW X5 has 33, the Audi Q7 16. Complaints run 407, 557 and 158 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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About the Mercedes-Benz GLE

Mercedes-Benz GLE generations